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johnwalkerpa1's avatar
johnwalkerpa1
Explorer
Sep 09, 2022

The dreaded Tire explosion

On a recent trip I lost an inside rear dual tire to a blow out.

I felt something funny (probably a bulge or bubble) when I was about 3 miles from the night's campground. Tire pressure and temp was still normal via TPMS when I pulled over to look. Then, Under the category of "dumb decisions I made" I thought, since I am only 3 miles I'll go onto the campground and take a closer look. 1/2 a mile down the road there was a mighty bang.

I had the tools/spare with me to change it and made it the rest of the way for the night and the trip.

But, the blowout pretty much obliterated my wheel well on that side. Fortunately little other damage other than a marker light and a furnace air duct.

Are there replacements for the wheel well (preferably something more substantial than the cheap plastic that was there)? Or is fabricating something myself the best option?

Its a 2015 Forest River Sunseeker model 3010DS

And yes, all tires are getting replaced before the next trip.
Class C
  • Tom_Barb's avatar
    Tom_Barb
    Explorer
    Sep 09, 2022
    OEM tires what came from the factory on the coach? really dump ??

    How old? Date code ? maker ? truck tire or coach tire?
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Sep 09, 2022
    johnwalkerpa1 wrote:
    Are there replacements for the wheel well (preferably something more substantial than the cheap plastic that was there)? Or is fabricating something myself the best option?


    I'm sure you could fabricate something but a 20-30lb chunk of rubber hitting the wheel well while doing 65mph and it's going to have to be 1/2 inch steel plate and even then it's likely to be dented by the impact.
  • johnwalkerpa1's avatar
    johnwalkerpa1
    Explorer
    Sep 09, 2022
    valhalla360 wrote:
    johnwalkerpa1 wrote:
    Are there replacements for the wheel well (preferably something more substantial than the cheap plastic that was there)? Or is fabricating something myself the best option?


    I'm sure you could fabricate something but a 20-30lb chunk of rubber hitting the wheel well while doing 65mph and it's going to have to be 1/2 inch steel plate and even then it's likely to be dented by the impact.


    Yes, I was sort of thinking that as well. I may just replace it as is...assuming I can get the part...I guess the odds are in my favor considering this was my first tire issue of any kind in 7 years...
  • MDKMDK's avatar
    MDKMDK
    Explorer
    Sep 09, 2022
    Tom/Barb wrote:
    OEM tires what came from the factory on the coach? really dump ??

    How old? Date code ? maker ? truck tire or coach tire?


    Good questions. 2015 to 2022 is probably right around the "time to replace the aged out OEM tires". Maybe just a bit past due?
    I'm at 5 years out from the chassis factory, with *only* 35,000 miles on the OEMs, and I started watching mine for odd or uneven treadwear and anything else, at every stop on the road.
    Interesting that the TPMS didn't note any issues, and didn't prevent the catastrophic failure. Their scope of usefulness is limited to slow leaks only. When one decided to go, the TPMS just watched it happen. Regular checking and a good pressure gauge is still worth having.
  • johnwalkerpa1's avatar
    johnwalkerpa1
    Explorer
    Sep 09, 2022
    MDKMDK wrote:
    Tom/Barb wrote:
    OEM tires what came from the factory on the coach? really dump ??

    How old? Date code ? maker ? truck tire or coach tire?


    Good questions. 2015 to 2022 is probably right around the "time to replace the aged out OEM tires". Maybe just a bit past due?
    I'm at 5 years out from the chassis factory, with *only* 35,000 miles on the OEMs, and I started watching mine for odd or uneven treadwear and anything else, at every stop on the road.
    Interesting that the TPMS didn't note any issues, and didn't prevent the catastrophic failure. Their scope of usefulness is limited to slow leaks only. When one decided to go, the TPMS just watched it happen. Regular checking and a good pressure gauge is still worth having.

    Yes, they were a bit past due to be replaced. Original Michelin LTX from 2015 date code. Still about 3/4 tread. I thought I was ok for a while yet since it’s garage kept and no dry rot or cracks. But guess I pushed them a little too long.

    Yes, pressures and temps were good. I suspect I lost a cord/belt.
  • StarkNaked's avatar
    StarkNaked
    Explorer II
    Sep 09, 2022
    johnwalkerpa1 wrote:
    O

    Are there replacements for the wheel well (preferably something more substantial than the cheap plastic that was there)? Or is fabricating something myself the best option?



    First off, have you checked with your insurance? This might be covered.

    And I have more first-hand experience than I would like to admit. Insurance did cover the damage.

    And what they did was fabricate a new wheel well from sheet metal.

    And when I had another rear blowout just last week, it held up far, far better than the old plastic ever did.
  • MDKMDK's avatar
    MDKMDK
    Explorer
    Sep 09, 2022
    johnwalkerpa1 wrote:
    MDKMDK wrote:
    Tom/Barb wrote:
    OEM tires what came from the factory on the coach? really dump ??

    How old? Date code ? maker ? truck tire or coach tire?


    Good questions. 2015 to 2022 is probably right around the "time to replace the aged out OEM tires". Maybe just a bit past due?
    I'm at 5 years out from the chassis factory, with *only* 35,000 miles on the OEMs, and I started watching mine for odd or uneven treadwear and anything else, at every stop on the road.
    Interesting that the TPMS didn't note any issues, and didn't prevent the catastrophic failure. Their scope of usefulness is limited to slow leaks only. When one decided to go, the TPMS just watched it happen. Regular checking and a good pressure gauge is still worth having.

    Yes, they were a bit past due to be replaced. Original Michelin LTX from 2015 date code. Still about 3/4 tread. I thought I was ok for a while yet since it’s garage kept and no dry rot or cracks. But guess I pushed them a little too long.

    Yes, pressures and temps were good. I suspect I lost a cord/belt.


    I had a set of Michelin LT245 70R16 AT/2 models go at about the warranty mileage (60,000miles?) - tread separation on left rear, and I got them all replaced at Discount Tire, where I bought them. Different store, but there was enough tread depth left that they were able to prorate the replacement tires at 50% of cost. Got the Michelin LTX models to replace them, as they didn't have any AT/2 models in stock, and we were just heading out on a longish trip. Put about 50,000 miles on them, and sold the van with them still in great shape.
    I like Michelins. And DT.
  • PartyOf_Five's avatar
    PartyOf_Five
    Explorer
    Sep 09, 2022
    Agreed with above posts, from my own experiences: Insurance claim, and replace the others for prorated credit at DT.

    If you have the DT certificate for this one (but I think you said it's factory), they may replace it also.

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